Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has vowed to fund 50 urgent medical care centres across the country if he wins government at the next election.
The centre-left Labor Party leader said the AU$135 million plan was not a copy of a previous policy, saying it “wasn’t delivering the same service.”
Albanese announced the four-year trial of the clinics on day three of Australia’s official election campaign period and is designed to alleviate pressure on the public hospital system, which is currently suffering from ambulance ramping and delays.
The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics will be based at GP surgeries and community health centres across Australia and will treat minor injuries that require immediate care including sprains, broken bones, stitches, wounds, insect bites, minor burns, and minor ear and eye problems.